Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Switzerland 2016Think Green & Be Green

When it comes to the environment, European countries (and others) are all in the same boat.The planet has a climate problem: since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have risen by more than 142 percent, with concentrations of the greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide also rising by 253 and 121 percent respectively. Something must be done. As a climate scientist put it: “If the climate were a bank, we would long since have bailed it out.”

According to calculations, the point of no return for Miami, for example, is set to be reached in 2041 – if global warming continues at its current rate. After that, there will be no guarantee that the city (along with all its banks) will not disappear beneath the waves one day. It is a scenario reminiscent of disaster movies. But let’s not paint a wholly dark picture. Instead, let’s re­double our efforts to save the planet: think green – be green! To serve as a ­reminder, the European postal organizations, including Swiss Post, are issuing joint special stamps in 2016.